Love One Another? Yes, even if they are different.

I remember him well, not because he was my favorite professor in college or because he taught my favorite subject, but because of a quirky habit he had that would drive me crazy. Throughout his entire 50-minute lecture he would make a strange noise in his throat after a couple of sentences.

 

“Today class, we are going to begin a new segment on the circulatory system (strange noise) and it will last for the next couple of weeks. (strange noise). Make sure you take good notes and read your textbook assignments, (strange noise) because I won’t be announcing pop quizzes along the way. (strange noise.)”

 

I think you get the idea. I spent 50-minutes, three times a week for four months enduring these Biology lectures until the course was over. That was during my freshman year. Then came my junior year when I signed up for the required plant physiology course and once again had this professor. His quirky habit was still there and once again I spent 50-minutes, three times a week for four months enduring these new lectures until the course was over.

 

We all have them, the quirky things that we do. Some things may only be noticed by those closest to us, but then some things may be obvious to a complete stranger. Quirks aren’t an issue if they don’t bother you, but what if they do? Do you make fun of the person or do you accept the person in spite of their differences?Becomes more  153

 

If we are true Christ-followers we should :

  • Get to know the person.
  • See the person as someone God created, Christ died for, and who is loved.
  • Remember Christ died for that person also.
  • Take into account that none of us are perfect and accept that person . . . and their quiks.
  • See the person through God’s eyes as one of His children.
  • Love them, yes, even if they are different.

 

I remember him well, not because he was my favorite professor in college or because he taught my favorite subject, but because of a quirky habit he had that would drive me crazy — until I got to know him. After meeting with him time after time for help, I got to know the man behind the quirks. As I got to know him, appreciate him, and respect him the noises he made throughout the lectures no longer drove me crazy. I didn’t even notice it anymore. I saw the man, not his differences.

 

climbing down 152What is it that makes you different from others? Do you embrace your uniqueness or let it keep you from being who God made you to be? Are you able to look beyond the differences in others? We are called to love one another, yes, even if they are different.

 

 

 

Beth Fortune

Beth has a passion for God's Word. Through her writing and speaking she allows the heartbeat of the Father to flow through her words. As an award-winning writer she’s a contributing writer with Christian Devotions and has had stories published in two "Chicken Soup For the Soul Book" Series in addition to other anthologies. Some of her articles have been published in Focus on Family’s "Thriving Family" magazine and Dr. Charles Stanley’s "In Touch" magazine. With a degree in Ornamental Horticulture she loves gardening and enjoys giving gardening talks to churches, schools, and community groups but her real enjoyment comes from sharing God's truths and encouraging others. She and her husband live in Mauldin, SC where they are in a season of caregiving for her father-in-law in the home. A diffiult season, but one in which God continues to show His grace. You can visit her at www.bethfortune.net.

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